reverse mortgage

noun

: a mortgage that allows an elderly person to convert home equity into available funds through a line of credit, cash advance, or periodic disbursements to be repaid with interest usually when the borrower dies, moves, or sells the home

Examples of reverse mortgage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Others plan to take out a reverse mortgage or take on another form of debt. — David Chavern, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Another possibility is a reverse mortgage, which generally costs more but doesn’t require monthly loan payments. — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Older homeowners may be eligible for a reverse mortgage to provide additional funds. — David McMillin,dan Avery, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 For homeowners in that position who are 62 or older, a reverse mortgage can turn equity into cash flow without a monthly payment, and a comparison of reverse mortgage companies operating in Florida is a reasonable place to start that research. — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reverse mortgage

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reverse mortgage was in 1977

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reverse mortgage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverse%20mortgage. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Legal Definition

reverse mortgage

see also:
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster